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Characterization of Multi-Metallic Magnetite Mineral of Nagaland Region in North-East India

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Abstract

Most of the mineral deposits found in North-East India remain unexploited due to inadequate knowledge on their status, economic viability, and requisite mining technologies. The aim of this study is to characterize the multimetallic magnetite mineral deposit from the Nagaland area in India. The quality of iron ore was evaluated to establish its suitability as a raw material for iron production. Detailed studies were conducted to establish the composition and properties of the samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and petrographic microscopy techniques were employed in the investigation. Shatter and tumbler test was performed for analyzing the mechanical properties of the ore. XRD studies indicated that magnetite is the major mineral with low amounts of martite, maghemite, and quartz. XRF/EPMA results indicated that magnetite contains 35–65 wt.% of iron and 1–5 wt.% of chromium. It also confirms the presence of Ni and Al up to 1 wt.% and Si up to 6 wt.%. Chromite-rich ore contains up to 30 wt.% Cr and 15–20 wt.% of Fe.

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Acknowledgements

I am profoundly grateful to the National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India, for supplying the raw materials of multi-metallic magnetite minerals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India

    Ram ji Omar, Raj Kumar Dishwar, Biswajit Mishra, G. S. Mahobia & O. P. Sinha

  2. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India

    A. K. Mandal

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  1. Ram ji Omar
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  2. Raj Kumar Dishwar
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  3. Biswajit Mishra
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Correspondence to Raj Kumar Dishwar.

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Omar, R.j., Dishwar, R.K., Mishra, B. et al. Characterization of Multi-Metallic Magnetite Mineral of Nagaland Region in North-East India. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 38, 1681–1688 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-021-00431-w

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